Jackie Hill Perry Lecture Notes

Introduction

• Speaker: Jackie Hill Perry
• Domains: Author, poet, Bible teacher, hip-hop artist
• Notable Works:
  • Book: Gay Girl, Good God
  • Jude Bible Study series
  • Christian Sexuality video-based study

Childhood Insights

• Earliest memories of same-sex attraction in kindergarten
• Lack of understanding/labeling due to early 90s context
• Church exposure to homosexuality term
  • Leviticus 18, Romans 1, 1 Corinthians 6
  • Negative delivery from pulpit led to fear and silence

Family Background

• Mother: consistent, hard worker, single parent
• Father: inconsistent presence
• Aunt Merle: major religious influence
  • Extremely devout, created a contrast for Perry

Internal Conflict and Sin

• Conviction and struggle with same-sex attraction
• Attempted to embrace lesbian identity in high school
• Conversion experience at age 19
  • Key verse: John 3:16
  • Realized God desired holiness over heterosexuality

Understanding of Sin and Repentance

• Root sin identified as unbelief rather than sexual orientation
• Idolatry and placing created things above God

Genesis and Idolatry

• Genesis 3: Human tendency to question God
• Understanding of temptation and sin
  • Eve’s decision to see good in forbidden tree

Romans 1 Context

• Teaching emphasizes human rebellion against God
• Sinful actions listed (homosexuality, greed, deceit, etc.)
• Wrath of God expressed through giving people over to their desires

Trust in God

• Difficulty in trusting God due to misunderstanding His holiness
• God’s inherently good and sinless nature

Galatians 5

• Evident nature of sinful acts to those walking with God
• Life in Christ involves both struggle and hope

Influence of Early Abuse and Pornography

• Sexual abuse and fatherlessness impacted trust in men
• Early exposure to pornography shaped perceptions

School Years and Weed Addiction

• Conflict with calling and conviction during teenage years
• Conversations with cousin Keisha emphasized God’s persistent love

Defining Moment and Realization

• Encounter with violent man led to realization of her own femininity
• Distinction between living as a lesbian and feeling conflict or peace

Church’s Role and Mercy

• Jude: showing mercy with wisdom
• Balance between compassion and truth

Conversion to Marriage and Family Life

• Transition from same-sex attractions to marriage with Preston
  • Process involved ongoing trauma and sanctification
• Importance of not holding marriage as ultimate goal

Motherhood’s Impact

• Softened and increased contentment with womanhood

Christian Sexuality Project

• Collaborated on 12-week video series
  • Equip understanding of sexuality per biblical perspective

Final Encouragement

• Study and understand God deeply, observe how scripture describes Him
• Internalize the character of God in dealings with self and others

Conclusion

• Importance of viewing God as loving and merciful
• Call to trust and run towards God in times of sin and struggle

[Applause]